JOINT
AGENCY NEWS RELEASE
CONTACT:
Kenai National Wildlife Refuge
TELEPHONE:
(907)
262-7021
E-Mail: kenai@fws.gov
Shortly after midnight
on Wednesday morning, a fire was reported in the Funny River/Moose Ridge
Road area. State Forestry and CES responded and discovered a small holdover
fire from the 2014 Funny River Fire smoldering in the organic layer a few
inches below the surface. A similar fire, believed to have rekindled from
the 2015 Card Street Fire, was extinguished recently as well.
“Local fire danger indices have been in the
high to very high range recently,” said Alaska Southern Refuges Fire Management
Officer Kristi Bulock, “This, coupled with very little moisture over the past
two winters is allowing fire to continue to smolder in the duff and peat.”
Current drying conditions combined with warm
temperatures and increased outdoor activities are cause for caution. As
you are out and about this weekend, please be very careful with activities that
may involve fire. Follow all guidelines for fully extinguishing campfires
before leaving. Campfires that are fully out are not smoldering, have
been treated with plenty of water and are cool to the touch. If you
discover an area of heat, smell smoke, see an unattended fire or otherwise
believe there is another rekindled fire, report this immediately to State Forestry
(260-4100 or 9-1-1).
More fire safety information
is available on the Refuge Facebook page at www.facebook.com/kenainationalwildliferefuge and
on the Alaska Interagency Fire Coordination Center’s website athttp://fire.ak.blm.gov. For
additional information, please contact the Kenai National Wildlife Refuge
office during regular business hours at (907) 262-7021.
